OWLS NOTES: Clemson star Johnson joins Owls, former HS coach

Addison Johnson heard his name booming over the loudspeaker and took his customary spot in center field during the Statesville Owls home doubleheader Saturday.

For Owls coach Jaime Lowe, it was just like old times.

Lowe was thrilled to see his former superstar player from North Forsyth HS join the Statesville program.

"It's just been a great day for me," a beaming Lowe said in between game one and game two of the doubleheader. "Really, for all of us coaches, it's such an honor to coach all of these boys. But with my history with Addison, to have him come back here and play for me is just really special."

Johnson was part of a three-headed monster during his senior year at North Forsyth.

With Johnson, Wes Hobson and Dustin Ackley leading the way on the field, and Lowe pulling all the right strings as head coach, North Forsyth finished the 2006 season 32-2 and runner-up in the 4A West playoffs.

Ackley starred at UNC Chapel Hill before being the No. 2 overall pick to the Seattle Mariners in 2009. Hobson developed into a draftable player at Appalachian State and was taken in the 40th round of the 2010 draft.

And Johnson stars as a center fielder for Clemson University. He was drafted by the Oakland A's in the 48th round of the 2009 draft, but opted to return to school.

Good thinking.

Johnson and the Tigers recently concluded a deep run in the College World Series that saw them finish just short to eventual national champion South Carolina.

"It was awesome," Johnson said. "We made a goal to play that far, and for us to make a run during the last year it was at Rosenblatt (Stadium) … it was just great to be a part of that."

Clemson's deep run into the CWS made Johnson a late arrival to the Owls. In fact, he missed more than the first half of the season, but it didn't matter to Lowe or his staff.

Although listed on Saturday's roster as a pitcher, Johnson played center field and batted leadoff against Morganton. He had four hits in two games and was a demon on the basepaths.

"Coach Lowe actually came to see me during the Wake Forest game this year," Johnson said. "He talked about the Statesville program and the league, and it sounded good to me. It feels good already."

Johnson was recruited by Clemson as a two-way player, which may explain his being listed as a pitcher on the Statesville roster.

The stocky 5-foot-7 athlete was the star pitcher in high school, and has both velocity and craftiness.

"I think I'll primarily play outfield," Johnson said. "But if they want me to get some innings on the mound, I can do that, too."

Lineup changes
Along with the arrival of Justin Roland (UNC Charlotte), Johnson's presence caused the Owls to sport a new-look lineup last week.

Johnson is penciled in the leadoff spot with Roland batting No. 2.

Statesville is now taking advantage of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League rule that allows 10 batters in the lineup by putting Kyle Mastroianni in the 10 spot. Mastroianni spent much of the year as the leadoff batter.

Having Mastroianni, Johnson and Roland batting in succession gives Statesville three guys who can get on base in a variety of ways. They are also three of the fastest players in the league.

"Hitting at the bottom of the lineup, it's like being the second leadoff batter," Johnson said. "I usually hit around there at Clemson. It's an important spot."

Playoff positioning
After dropping the opener of Saturday's doubleheader to Morganton, the Owls won the second game. It was a big win.

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Statesville (13-16, 8-7) owns a one-game lead over Morganton (15-14, 7-8) in the East Division. The two are fighting for the final playoff spot allotted to the East (Lake Norman has already clinched first).

Both teams have two division games left.

Morganton plays a doubleheader against Fort Mill (16-14, 2-10) on Saturday. Statesville concludes its season July 17 with a home doubleheader against Fort Mill.

Depending on what happens in the Morganton-Fort Mill series, Statesville may have already clinched a playoff berth by then. Or, it might need to sweep the doubleheader to keep its postseason hopes alive.